2003 Hyundai Santa FE Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 10%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 10% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hit a nasty pothole and knocked the alignment out on my sante fe, or so I thought. When I took it to my mechanic he put it on the lift to check the front end. He found the right side sub frame was rotted and the lower control arm pulling out of the frame. Called Hyundai 800 #. Sorry your car is not covered . This is nuts.”
NHTSA complaint #10565696, filed 2014-02, 98,000 miles“The paint is deteriorating, my fuel pump had to be replaced and my car won't start. I replaced the alternator, battery, crankshaft sensor and still won't start. I also have a break leak that I've tried to fix a few times”
NHTSA complaint #10938908, filed 2016-12, 150,000 miles“Brought my vehicle in for a alignment and they discovered the rusted and corradiated rear left trailing control arm on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, I brought to dealership after that to get a recall and the told me that since the vehicle was bought in nd and that state is not included in the recall they will decline the work, even thou minn. Is right next door like I live about 1 mile to mn they still wouldn't except the recall, it is obvious the part that is on recall fits my car, when looking on the right side arm there is no rust or corrosion. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383941, filed 2020-12, 147,263 miles“I own a 2003 Santa Fe and just found out about the carriage corrosion problems with the 2001-2003 Hyundai and subsequent recall in the snow belt states. I live in kansas, where they treat the local highways in the winter with salt and other corrosives. Why isn't kansas included in this recall? Has Hyundai included vehicles in this state for the recall? The little truck has been terrific, with nothing going wrong until now. The garage I take my vehicles to would not allow my daughter to get back into the Santa Fe, fearing that she would have an accident. Thank goodness for small favors! …”
NHTSA complaint #10556815, filed 2013-12, 175,000 miles“We purchased this vehicle used in june of 2014 with 62,450 miles on it. The exterior and interior were in great shape. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealer in july for an inspection of the rear suspension per a recall. At that time a complete inspection was done, with only a small oil leak found on one axle shaft. Two months later the vehicle was take back to the dealer for a recall for a broken spring. At this time a second inspection was completed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10638669, filed 2014-09, 62,450 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid…
- 10022202Jun 1, 2007Tailgate garnish contacts the tailgate. Procedures to repair if contact has occured.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 5 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 3% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 20 | 4% |
| 2013 | 23 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 14 | 4% |
| 2008 | 20 | 4% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 4% |
| 2003 | 30 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 10% |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
56 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsWheels
13 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology